AI reveals hidden hand behind Raphael's 'Madonna della Rosa'

Artificial intelligence has the ability to surprise us and analyze data that often eludes the human mind. Through algorithms, it was uncovered that one of the figures in Raphael Sanzio's painting "Madonna della Rosa" was not crafted by the Italian master's brush, specifically, the face of Saint Joseph is not his work. This discovery has ignited interest among researchers who have long debated the authenticity of this piece.

Raphael Sanzio, also known as Raffaello Sanzio, was an exceptional Italian painter and architect of the Renaissance, born in 1483 in Urbino. Alongside Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, he is regarded as one of the three greatest masters of the Italian Renaissance. He was celebrated for his extraordinary sense of harmony, composition, and the beauty of the human form, exemplified by his renowned Madonnas and monumental frescoes in the Vatican.

A team of scientists from the United Kingdom and the USA developed an algorithm based on Raphael Sanzio's known works, enabling the computer to recognize the master's style with great precision. As mathematician Hassan Ugail from the University of Bradford explained, AI analyzes works at a microscopic level, allowing for precise recognition of the painter's characteristic features.

The analysis revealed that the faces of the Madonna, Child, and Saint John are by the famous creator. However, during the analysis, AI confirmed that the faces of the Madonna and Child are by Raphael. Saint Joseph's face did not align with the master's style, leading art historians to debate the authorship of this part of the work. Modern technology has confirmed that this section of the painting is less refined and does not entirely convey the artist's skill.

One suspected author of Saint Joseph's face is Giulio Romano, a student of Raphael. Although there is no definitive certainty about the authorship, AI provides new evidence in this matter.

Researchers emphasize that AI will not replace experts but can be a valuable tool in authenticating works of art. As they claim, artificial intelligence is meant to assist in research but will not replace the insight of specialists. The computer conducts image analyses at a microscopic level, allowing for the identification of details that are invisible to the human eye. This makes it possible to detect elements that typically escape human attention. Such technology enables more accurate examination and evaluation of paintings, which is invaluable in many fields of science and medicine.